Z-Pak Cardiac Deaths

Our attorneys investigated potential cases on behalf of patients
who used the antibiotic Z-Pak, also known as Zithromax or azithromycin.
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients
taking the 5-day Z-Pak treatment may have a slightly increased risk of
cardiovascular death when compared to those taking no drug or an
alternative antibiotic. If Pfizer, the manufacturer of the drug, failed
to adequately warn patients and doctors about this risk, legal recourse
to seek compensation for medical bills and other damages may be
available.

FDA Investigates Z-Pak Cardiovascular Death Risk

On May 17, 2012, the FDA notified healthcare professionals about the
study found in the New England Journal of Medicine which compared the
risks of cardiovascular death in patients taking azithromycin and those
taking other or no antibiotics. According to a study, patients treated
with the five-day course of azithromycin had a slightly increased risk
of suffering a cardiovascular death compared to patients taking
amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin or no antibacterial drug.

The study looked at health records and data on
millions of prescriptions given to approximately 540,000 Medicaid
patients between 1992 and 2006. The analysis found that the risk of
death reported in patients on azithromycin was more than twice than that
of amoxicillin users, or patients not taking an antibacterial drug.
Although the overall risk of cardiac death in azithromycin users was
small, the highest risk was noted in those with existing heart problems.
Some doctors have suggested that azithromycin may cause arrhythmias,
also known as irregular heartbeats, which can lead to death in some
patients.

Lawyers for Z-Pak Heart Problems

Azithromycin belongs to a class of antibiotics known as macrolides,
which have been linked to cardiovascular events, specifically
prolongation of the QT interval, which can lead to an abnormal and
potentially fatal heart rhythm. It is prescribed to treat a wide range
of infections including tonsillitis, acute sinusitis and
community-acquired pneumonia. If your loved one was prescribed Z-Pak,
Zithromax or azithromycin and suffered a cardiovascular death, you may
have the opportunity to seek compensation for funeral expenses and other
damages.